Where you’re from
You might be the one who’s running things7
Well, you can ring anybody’s bell to get what you want8

You see, it’s easy to ignore a trouble
When you’re living in a bubble9

So what are you gonna do when the world don’t orbit around you?
So what are you gonna do when nobody wants to fool with you?

Ain’t it fun living in the real world
Ain’t it good being all alone

Ain’t it good to be on your own
Ain’t it fun you can’t count on no one10
Ain’t it good to be on your own
Ain’t it fun you can’t count on no one

Ain’t it fun living in the real world

Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world11
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world

Ain’t it fun
Ain’t it fun
Baby, now you’re one of us
Ain’t it fun
Ain’t it fun

Ain’t it fun

Ain’t it fun living in the real world
Ain’t it good, ain’t it good being all alone

Ain’t it fun living in the real world
(‘Cause the world don’t orbit around you)
Ain’t it good, ain’t it good being all alone (oh)

Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
(Down to your mama)
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
(Don’t go crying to your mama)
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
(Oh, this is the real world)
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
(Don’t go crying to your mama)
This is the real world
This is the real world

Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world
Don’t go crying to your mama ’cause you’re on your own in the real world

Explained Lyrics

The “real world” is a difficult place, full of disappointments and difficulties.

The big fish in the pond is a metaphor for someone who has it easy in their own environment with no one who can interfere.

Hayley Williams is singing about going from the top to the bottom of the social “food chain.”

Hayley Williams is asking “what are you going to do when people aren’t giving you constant attention anymore?”

The “real world” refers to the lived experience one encounters when leaving his or her parents’ home and confronting a reality that is not insulated by others. There are good feelings of “freedom” as well as intense challenges during this period in someone’s life. This song “Ain’t It Fun” is a tribute to the coming-of-age experience.

“Ain’t it good being all alone” means “isn’t it nice to make your own decisions?”

“Running things” means “making decisions about what happens to you.”

Parents, teachers, coaches, and social systems exist to insulate young people from pain, but when people grow up, they begin realizing that few people actually care about them enough to attend to their needs or wants.

A “bubble” means “a safe place isolated from authentic challenges and tension.”

Hayley Williams gets a little sarcastic here. The world is a cutthroat place. People will step on others without considering – or caring about – their feelings.

Hayley Williams says young adults shouldn’t cling to their parents (or others who help insulate them from suffering) for help and security. Rather, they should grow up and face reality so that they can figure things out and become a stronger person.